Nasal adaptor for valved dispenser



Sept. 29, 1959 A. o. SAMUELS NASAL ADAPTOR FQR VALVED DISPENSER FiledSept. 3, 1957 FIG. 3

INVENTOR ABE O. SAM UELS ATTORNEYS res 2,906,265 NASAL ADAPTOR FORVALVED DISPENSER Abe 0. Samuels, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to MarylandDevices, Inc., a corporation of Maryland This invention relatesgenerally to a nasal adaptor and more particularly to a nasal adaptorfor use in conjunction With a pressurized valved dispenser.

Heretofore, persons using a nasal inhalant were restricted to two typesof applicators; (l) the dropper type which deposited drops of liquid inthe nostril; (2) the squeeze spray bottle whereby a fiexible bottle issqueezed, such action forcing the contents to be ejected, in spray form,into the nostril. Both types, however, are inefiicient because they failto coat the lining of the nostril with a uniform application of theinhalant. The dropper type deposits the inhalant in large, concentratedliquid drops so that the liquid tends to fiow down and out of thenostril. This difiiculty is also encountered when using the squeezebottle. Varying pressure Will force out varying amounts of the inhalantand oft-times the inhalant will be deposited in the nostril in largedrops which, as stated above, tend to drain from the nostril. Thus, someportions of the nostril will be subjected to a concentrated dosage whileother portions will receive an incomplete application.

Both types are also unsatisfactory from the point of view ofcleanliness. For the most effective use of either type they must beintroduced into the nostril where part of the coating of the infectednostril adheres to the discharge nozzle of the applicator. Thus, aftereach use, the discharge nozzle becomes unsanitary and subsequent usewill cause the unhealthful transfer of germs from one user to another.To prevent this the applicator should be cleaned after each use. Due totheir construction, the cleaning of these applicators is not easy and infact, quite difiicult if the inside of the discharge nozzle of thesqueeze bottle is also to be cleaned.

One of the features of my invention is to eliminate as a problem thecleaning of that portion of an inhalant applicator introduced into thenostril.

Broadly my invention is a nasal adaptor comprising a nozzle and baseportion, adapted to fit on a pressurized valved dispenser, and aprotective covering surrounding the nozzle. The covering has an openingin it so that the applicator can be used while the cover is on. Cleaningis no longer a problem because the only portion of the applicator tocome into contact with the nostril is the cover and this is removable.Thus, after each use, the cover is removed, cleaned and then replaced ina hygienic condition. Others can use the same applicator with ease ofmind knowing germs are not being transferred to them from the previoususer.

The invention may be more fully understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment, ofwhich:

Fig. 1 is a general illustration of the nasal adaptor fitted onto apressurized valved dispenser.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 taken alongline 22.

Fig. 3 is an elevated view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

The nasal adaptor comprises the discharge nozzle 1 with a restrictedorifice 2 at one end and attached to a base portion 3 at the other end.Said base portion 3 is fitted onto the depressible valve stem 4protruding from the pressure chamber 5 of the dispenser 6. The coverportion 7 which surrounds the discharge nozzle 1 is crirnped to a ridge8 of the base portion 3 to hold the cover portion 7 in place. There isan opening 9 in the cover portion 7 which is directly over therestricted orifice 2 when the cover portion 7 is in place The baseportion 3 extends beyond the point of its juncture with the coverportion 7 to form a finger grip 10.

When pressure is applied to the finger grip 10 the entire adaptor isforced downward. The base portion 3 and the nozzle 1 fitted to thedepressible valve stem 4 press said valve stem 4 down into the pressurechamber 5 thereby releasing an amount of the propellant into thedispenser 6. The propellant forces the inhalant up through the valvestem 4 and into the nozzle 1 and through the restricted orifice 2. Therestriction in the orifice 2 in combination with the pressure of thepropellant will cause the inhalant to be discharged in spray formthrough the opening 9 in the cover portion 7 and then to be evenlydistributed and deposited on the lining of the nostril. Such a uniformapplication of the inhalant is the most effective manner of using anasal inhalant.

The crimp in the ridge 8 of the base portion 3 permits the cover portion7 to be snapped on and off so that the cover portion 7 is detachable.This feature of detachability allows simple but thorough cleaning ofsaid cover portion 7 and the consequent relatively germ free use by morethan one person.

I have found that my invention functions best when made of a flexibleplastic or hard rubber but it may be made of any solid material andstill function properly.

Although the invention has been shown as a nasal adaptor for use inconjunction with a pressurized valved dispenser, it can be used just asefiectively whenever and wherever a protective cover and sanitary spraydevice are required.

While one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described indetail, it will be understood that this is illustrative only and is notto be taken as a definition of the scope of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A nasal adaptor for a pressurized valved dispenser having adepressible valve stem comprising, a nozzle having a restricted orificeat one end, a base portion connected to said nozzle at its opposite endand adapted to sealingly engage said valve stem, said base portionextending laterally beyond said nozzle to provide a finger grip, and adetachable cover portion having openings at two ends, said cover portionsurrounding said nozzle and engaging at one end said base portion andthe other end extending beyond said orifice.

2. A nasal adaptor according to claim 1 wherein said base portionextends laterally beyond said cover portion to provide a finger grip.

3. A nasal adaptor for a pressurized valved dispenser having adepressible valve stem comprising, a nozzle having a restricted orificeat a discharge end, a base portion connected to said nozzle at anopposite end, a detachable cover portion surrounding said nozzle, saidcover portion having an opening at one end engaging said base portionand an opening at another end extending beyond and directly over saidorifice, and said base portion extending laterally beyond itsv point ofengagement with said cover portion a distance sulficient to provide afinger grip.

4. A sanitary spray device for a pressurized container having adepressible valve stem comprising, a nozzle having a restricted orificeat a discharge end, a base portion connected to said nozzle at anopposite end, a detachable cover portion surrounding said nozzle, saidcover portion having an opening at one end engaging said base portionand an opening at another end extending beyond and directly over saidorifice, and said base portion extending laterally beyond its point ofengagement with said cover portion a distance sufiicient to provide afinger grip.

5. A pressurized sanitary spray device comprising, a. pressurizedcontainer, 21 depressible valve stem extending through said containeradapted to release the contents of said container upon depression, anozzle having a restricted orifice at a discharge end, a base portionconnected to said nozzle at an opposite end, said base portion adaptedto sealingly engage said valve stem, 2. detachable cover portionsurrounding said nozzle, said cover portion having an opening at one endengaging said base portion and an opening at another end extendingbeyond and directly over said orifice, and said base portion extendinglaterally beyond its point of engagement with said cover portion adistance sufficient to provide a finger grip.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS

